CALIFORNIA DESERT

Young Scientist Studies Desert Tortoises (News.Bytes Extra)
Nine-year-old Thomas needed a science project for school and wanted to choose a topic about public lands. After consulting BLM and his parents, Thomas decided to title his experiment "What Color Flowers do Desert Tortoises Prefer to Eat?" http://ow.ly/xTG09

Junior Explorer Night Hunt in the Algodones Dunes Wilderness (BLM Facebook) In search of a nocturnal arachnid, junior explorers and their families followed BLM park rangers into the dark North Algodones Dunes Wilderness over Memorial Day Weekend. http://ow.ly/xTMDH

SCE Supports Friends of Desert Discovery Center (News.Bytes Extra)
The BLM Barstow Field Office welcomed, Nancy Jackson, Regional Public Affairs Manager for Southern California Edison, to recognize the company's grant support over the last two years of the BLM Desert Discovery Center partnership. http://ow.ly/xTGlI

Jewell Announces New Appointments to BLM Desert Advisory Council
(BLM News Release) Interior Secretary Sally Jewell has appointed five new members to the BLM citizen-based California Desert District Advisory Council which advises the BLM on public land issues. The council's new members are: Leslie Barrett; Raymond Castillo; Mark Algazy; Robert Burke; and James Kenney, who are all appointed as representatives of the public. http://ow.ly/xTKmi

WILDLIFE TRIVIA QUESTION of the WEEK

What's giant and hairy, pre-dates the dinosaurs, and glows blue-green under an ultraviolet light?

See answer - and more information near the end of this News.bytes.

DISCOVER THE COAST

Ocean Day Aerial Art (BLM Facebook)
The Ocean Day event at BLM's Mike Thompson Wildlife Area was a great success. A day of dune cleanup and restoration efforts with all of our partners including Friends of the Dunes, Trinidad School, Humboldt State University, and the California Conservation Corps. http://ow.ly/xTP8O

The Kids Are Rolling In to Ocean Day (BLM Facebook)
Activities are getting started at BLM's Mike Thompson Wildlife Area! School buses and students from the Trinidad area are arriving and the fun is about to begin. Looks like the California Conservation Corps, Friends of the Dunes and BLM folks are already in a festive mood.
http://ow.ly/xTPsG

WILD HORSE AND BURRO

BLM Holds First Wild Horse and Burro Internet Adoption in California (Sierra Sun Times, 06/10/14) The BLM will offer 45 wild horses and 6 wild burros through its first online adoption in California beginning June 16. Profiles of adoptable animals will be available on the BLM California website beginning June 9 and will be available on a first come, first served basis... http://ow.ly/xTIdT

RELATED: BLM Holds First Wild Horse and Burro Internet Adoption in California (BLM News Release) Adoption from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, June 16, through Friday, June 27. The adoption fee is $125 per animal. Animals can be picked up at the Santa Clara Horseman's Park in San Jose on July 12 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., or at either the Ridgecrest or Litchfield Corral. http://ow.ly/xTLpM

RELATED: BLM-California Wild Horse and Burro Internet Adoption
(BLM Website) Complete an adoption application; Preview the animal profiles online and select which you would like; Call the BLM at 530-310-3674 to adopt your animal from June 16 to 27; Arrange to pick up your animal at one of the locations mentioned above. http://ow.ly/xTM0U

CREEK FREAKS, RIVER RIDES and TRAILS

Dedication of New River Access Point on the Wild and Scenic Trinity River
(News.Bytes Extra) Staff from the BLM Redding Field Office joined partners from the Bureau of Reclamation, the Trinity River Restoration Project and other partners to dedicate a new river access point along the Wild and Scenic Trinity River east of Weaverville.
http://ow.ly/xW5Y4

Creek Freaks Found Themselves in Cold Water (BLM Facebook)
It was 110 degrees outside when educators from the Palm Springs area joined the Creek Freaks educator workshop held at the BLM's Big Morongo Canyon Preserve and the Wildlands Conservancy's White Water Preserve. http://ow.ly/xVTw8

Where will you spend American Hiking Society's National Trails Day?
(BLM Tumblr) A stunning slideshow of BLM California hiking trails and activities. http://tmblr.co/Z9wNeu1Hz2nKF

FIRE MANAGEMENT

Fire Prevention Booth at the Temecula Balloon and Wine Festival(BLM Facebook) Firefighters from BLM's California Desert District and the Cleveland National Forest set-up their fire prevention education booth last weekend at the 2014 Temecula Balloon and Wine Festival, Riverside. http://ow.ly/xTOk8

BLM Announces Fire Restrictions for Lands Managed by the Arcata and Redding Field Offices (BLM News Release) The BLM has implemented fire restrictions for public lands managed by the BLM in Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity, Mendocino, Shasta, Tehama, Butte and Siskiyou counties. The restrictions will remain in effect until further notice. http://ow.ly/xWcmk

OTHER CALIFORNIA HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS

Annual Day in the Desert for Local 5th Graders
(Susanville Stuff, 06/11/14)
Lassen County's 5th graders gathered at BLM's Belfast Site and Willow Creek Canyon to learn about the unique aspects of our high-desert region, specifically, the Native American perspective, archaeology, wildlife... http://ow.ly/xVVXh

House Committee Hears Testimony on Lake Berryessa's Future (Napa Valley Register,06/10/14) A bill, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, would take management of recreation at Lake Berryessa from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which has managed it since the 1970s, and give it to the BLM... http://ow.ly/xTHrW

RELATED: Lake Berryessa Recreation Enhancement Act of 2014
(DOI Onlin PDF Document: Page 7) The Department supports the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over recreation facilities at Lake Berryessa from the Bureau of Reclamation to the Bureau of Land Management. http://ow.ly/xWgme

In Nod to Past, Future Park Renamed
(Santa Cruz Sentinel, 06/09/14) A public access plan is being drawn up by the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, with draft plans likely to be released this summer. ...questions related to land-use and access points, while trying to coordinate with the adjacent, BLM-owned Coast Dairies property... http://ow.ly/xTGOH

BLM and DEPARTMENT of the INTERIOR Highlights

BLM Last Week: June 2-6, 2014 (BLM Tumblr) Another milestone in the President's Climate Action Plan; Department of the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell's statement - Dealing with Climate Change: A Moral Obligation; BLM kicks off a month-long social media campaign for the annual Great Outdoors Month in June. http://tmblr.co/Z9wNeu1IE5VTr

VIDEO- This Week at Interior: June 6, 2014
(DOI YouTube)
New Clean Power Plan, Secretary Jewell travels to Historic Jamestowne and more. http://youtu.be/9ksBPmMM6ZU

Interior Secretary Jewell Connects Las Vegas Shooting to Bundy Ranch
(Washington Post, 06/09/14) Interior Secretary Sally Jewell highlighted news reports that said two apparent white supremacists who shot and killed three people in Las Vegas on Sunday may have joined militiamen from around the country at Cliven Bundy's ranch earlier this year.
http://ow.ly/xTISF

Increased Fracking Without Increased Inspections Puts the Environment At Risk (The Washington Post, 06/08/14) A U.S. energy boom has cut oil and natural gas imports, revitalized manufacturing and enriched rural communities. But will the massive increase in oil and natural gas production mar the environment? ...The latest analysis from the GAO found that the BLM has been struggling to come to grips with the last decade's oil and gas bonanza... http://ow.ly/xTJDD

SELECTED UPCOMING EVENTS

BLM Extends Nomination Deadline for Northern Calif. Advisory Council (BLM News Release) The BLM has extended the nomination deadline for membership on the Northern California Advisory Council, a citizen group that advises the agency on management of public lands. There are 15 vacancies for terms of one, two and three years. http://ow.ly/xlX8Q

June 9-13: Volunteers Welcome for Archaeology Week Projects
Anyone interested in archaeology of the Great Basin along the California-Nevada border is welcome to join the BLM Eagle Lake Field Office for its inaugural Archaeology Volunteer Week.
Join BLM archaeologists in archaeological survey and recording work in the high desert northeast of Susanville. http://ow.ly/wQWqQ
Jun 14: Annual Butterfly Survey at Cosumnes River Preserve(Cosumnes Preserve Website) Saturday, June 14th Beautiful Butterflies Everywhere: The Cosumnes Butterfly Count. Meet at the Visitors Center at 9 a.m. As always, this event is free! http://ow.ly/xTO8k

Jun. 17: Free Outing Focuses on Tidepools and Sea Star Wasting Syndrome(BLM News Release) The fascinating life in tidepools will be featured in a free interpretive outing Tuesday, June 17, from 9 to 11 a.m., at Mal Coombs Park in Shelter Cove. The outing is part of a summer hikes series offered by the Bureau of Land Management and the Lost Coast Interpretive Association. http://ow.ly/xDtn2

Jul 3: Comments Due for U.S. Army Considering Additional Munitions Removals at BLM's Fort Ord National Monument (BLM News Release) The U.S. Army is accepting comments until July 3 on a Draft Final Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study that calls for additional cleanup actions on BLM-managed lands within the Fort Ord National Monument. http://ow.ly/xDveM

Apr-Oct. 23: Webcasts Scheduled to Solicit Comments on Route 66 Management Plan (BLM News Release)
The California Historic Route 66 Association and BLM California Desert District have scheduled four webcasts to continue soliciting public comments on the preparation of a corridor management plan for the segment of historic Route 66. http://ow.ly/vUesE

WILDLIFE TRIVIA ANSWER and Related Information

What's giant and hairy, pre-dates the dinosaurs, and glows blue-green under an ultraviolet light?

ANSWER: Giant desert hairy scorpion (Hadrurus arizonensis). This scorpion has evolved with a chemical in its exoskeleton (outer shell) which causes it to glow bright blue-green under an ultraviolet light.It is the largest scorpion in North America, growing up to six inches in length and covered with fine hairs that detect both ground and air vibrations -- helping the scorpion find its prey. Their lobster-like pincers and stinger will finish off insects, spiders or small lizards.
http://ow.ly/xTSNj

RELATED: Junior Explorer Night Hunt in the Algodones Dunes Wilderness
(BLM Facebook) In search of a nocturnal arachnid, junior explorers and their families followed BLM park rangers into the dark North Algodones Dunes Wilderness over Memorial Day Weekend. http://ow.ly/xTMDH

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